Anyone read One Day by David Nicholls?

[said]

What did you think?

I loved it. But I'm only a couple of years younger than the main characters so I recognised lots of the eighties uni stuff. It was a great read, I laughed loads and was genuinely shocked when you-know-what happened (just in case you haven't read it yet!)

It was my non-crime fluffy beach novel over half term. I really enjoyed it, even if I could practically write the screen-play in my head while I was reading it.

And I shed a tear, and I famously have compassion issues, according to DH, so I must have been pretty engaged with the characters.

Finished it yesterday. It's the kind of book you believe you could have written yourself if only you'd got your arse in gear.

Same age as well as the main characters so recognised exactly what "types" they were. Started off loving it but then started to pick holes in it.

SPOLIER ALERT**

I'm not convinced she would have ended up with him at all. I didn't see him as really being that funny and she just really fancied him. But as she got older she would have realised that's what it was.

Plus, I didn't get why he got invited to Tilly's wedding when it was clear that they were in separate crowds as university.

I did get involved though and did choke up a bit when you know what happened. Was reading it on a train so ha to pull myself together a bit. But think that was down to the writing more than teh characters. Maybe. I recognised A LOT of my own life in Emma's though.

I'm not sure. I think she was just in an anything could happen, book deal, living in Paris kind of whirl and thought 'what the hell?' A now or never kind of thing?

I thought he's slept with Tilly at some point and that's why he was invited?

Pants. Sorry.

Would you invite everyone you'd slept with to your wedding? It definitely had Film Deal written all over it

Yeah, I can see her shagging him in Paris. But it wouldn't have lasted I don't think

I think he wrote both the book and screenplay for Starter for Ten so I imagine talks are already in progress.

pants, pants, predictable pants - only one small notch above chick lit

(and I'm also an 80s Russell Group graduate and all that media/waitressing/teaching/alternative comedy world is very, very familiar - bit too familiar really)

I will be missing the obligatory feel-good film

It is chick lit really isn't it. Feel ashamed for starting thread now.

Well, I loathe chick lit, and I enjoyed this - perfect beach reading, fun and not in the least demanding.

Don't feel ashamed!

Everyone else in my book group loved this. I thought it was OK. A much better read IMHO is The Slap - google it. The main characters are a similar age but it's set in Australia and is altogether more gritty and real. Oh and full of sex and drugs .

Hmm, I loathe chicklit but thought that One Day was deceptively well written

that sounds like a back handed compliment

what I mean is it's an easy read but well written, unlike most chicklit

I agree with TheFoosa.

I've just finished it and I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed.

I loved Cold Feet (the TV series) and it was all too similar ( I think he had a hand in writing that too ) so it was all a bit predictable and I could see it coming.

Me too Foosa !

'It's the kind of book you believe you could have written yourself if only you'd got your arse in gear.' - that's so annoying, isn't it?! I never get my arse in gear ...

I loved the Emma stuff - her lack of confidence, and worrying about where her career was going - thought that really rang true. The sudden success was a bit cliched and convenient, and I don't think the bloke's (sorry, forgotten his name) marriage was at all believable, but yes - I cared enough to cry at the ending.

Yes, agree - Emma pre-success was pretty believable. Could relate to her feelings and situations a lot. Except, if she was as pretty as it ws implied I think she'd have had a few more shags. Even bad ones. Well, mostly bad ones. Then it was all a bit J K Rowling re her success. Before IT happened I was thinking 'Where is this going?', knowing there had to be an Event.

And, yes, went to buy The Slap the other day but, I seem to remember it was about 12.99 for a paperback when they're normally 7.99 . Will check Amazon

didn't like The Slap either

I have read all his books - my fave is the understudy .this was my least fave despite it being bout my birthday.

I'm with basildonbond, I'm afraid. Although perhaps I'm not the best critic as I really don't enjoy chick-lit as my poison is fantasy and sci-fi. I just found it predictable and the ending knowingly manipulative. I can just see the author - 'I wonder how I can end this book that will make all the women cry.' Not for me.

But on the positive side, if you do like chick-lit, you'll probably enjoy it and it is an easy read.

I really enjoyed it.

I just read it and it's a real page-turner. Really enjoyed the period as it was mine (made me feel old ). I know what people mean about chick lit and now and again it did feel contrived...especially the thing that happens....(and if the author had a hand in Cold Feet he was plagiarising himself here). But overall I did enjoy it. There is a film in the pipeline - Anne Hathaway (couldn't it be a real brit) and Jim Sturgess (?)